Since the success of the Mozart Requiem, four familiar soloists from Counterpoint Choir have been working together to develop a concert programme for their new ensemble 'Leofric' (named after Exeter's founding Bishop). They delighted a Saturday lunchtime audience at the Chapter House with their wonderful a capela quartet singing and solo songs (with piano accompaniment by another Counterpoint singer - tenor Frazier MacDiarmid).

This concert really was the highlight of the week! A concert in the true 'Classical Journey' tradition.

Each piece of glorious choral music succeeded the last by a few decades as we progressed from the eleventh to the sixteenth centuries.With the side aisles closed off for some kind of repair work, the audience were restricted to the central nave, while the choir could range freely in the transepts and the quire.The opening 'Salve Regina' from c.1020 was delivered with captivating clarity by a very special alto singer - Juliet Curnow. Juliet is a very special member of Counterpoint Choir, well known throughout the South West for her solo singing.

Next another alto, Harry Castle, sang the 'Beata Viscera Marie Virginis'. (Imagine for yourself.) Harry has recently risen to prominence - a founder member of our new Exeter choir 'Leofric'.

Another alto, Colin Avery, beat a tambourine to accompany the beautiful 'Virgen santa Maria' by the great Castillian King 'El Sabio'. (It's now the thirteenth century.)

Then came three 'York Mystery Plays' from the fourteenth century. Josie Walledge's voice - familiar from her many concerts with Laurence Blyth - was joined by another soprano. Mary O'Shea? - Not this time. The second voice was established 'Counterpoint' favourite, Daisy Walford (now an established 'Leofric' favourite!)

Fifteenth century and another alto performance - by Leofric pianist Frazier MacDiarmid. 'Quam Pulchra Est'. (Did I mention that there was a 'Virgin Mary' theme?)Then came three 'York Mystery Plays' from the fourteenth century. Josie Walledge's voice - familiar from her many concerts with Laurence Blyth - was joined by another soprano. Mary O'Shea? - Not this time. The second voice was established 'Counterpoint' favourite, Daisy Walford (now an established 'Leofric' favourite!)

Fifteenth century and another alto performance - by Leofric pianist Frazier MacDiarmid. 'Quam Pulchra Est'. (Did I mention that there was a 'Virgin Mary' theme?)

Having fully justified the price of admission, David Acres and Counterpoint proceeding go give the audience more that they could possibly expect or hope for. After a gentle rendition of Thomas Tallis's 'O Sacrum Convivium', the choir launched into a twenty minute expedition into John Sheppard's 'Media Vita' (In the Midst of Life).So many positive comments from audience members:'We were sent to another (and better) place'.'It was beautiful'.'It flowed in waves that flowed and came back'.'The waves flowed up and over and back'.'The music rose and sank like a ship'.'It was mesmeric'.'It was all-absorbing and all-encompassing''It was so much more than we expected - more and more!'

What made it so special was the combination of not four or six, but EIGHT different voices. The altos were constrained to sing abnormally low at times - while the tenors reached to their highest notes. This piece is rarely attempted (because of its complexity), but David Acres and the Counterpoint Choir were the ones to attempt it - a soaring success!

Almost as a footnote - but quite up to the superlative standard we expect from Counterpoint - the last two pieces brought the audience gently back down to earth. Byrd's 'Ave Verum Corpus' and Gibbons' 'O Clap Your Hands'. After that gentle wind-down, David Acres closed the concert in his traditional way - bringing the Abbey back to its proper purspose. Jason Bomford's beautiful tenor voice rang out from the second row of the choir with another even more familiar song by Orlando Gibbons - 'Drop, Drop, Slow Tears'.

What a beautiful end to a very special concert.What made it so special was the combination of not four or six, but EIGHT different voices. The altos were

constrained to sing abnormally low at times - while the tenors reached to their highest notes. This piece is rarely attempted (because of its complexity), but David Acres and the Counterpoint Choir were the ones to attempt it - a soaring success!

Almost as a footnote - but quite up to the superlative standard we expect from Counterpoint - the last two pieces brought the audience gently back down to earth. Byrd's 'Ave Verum Corpus' and Gibbons' 'O Clap Your Hands'. After that gentle wind-down, David Acres closed the concert in his traditional way - bringing the Abbey back to its proper purspose. Jason Bomford's beautiful tenor voice rang out from the second row of the choir with another even more familiar song by Orlando Gibbons - 'Drop, Drop, Slow Tears'. What a beautiful end to a very special concert.

Matthew Cannconducts Antiphon

Soprano: Mary O'Shea

More wonderful choral music at the Abbey? - Not long to wait! Matthew Cann has been preparing another glorious celebration of the Virgin Mary, to be performed by sixteen superlative vocalists, including Lay Vicars from around the country, in four voices - with the addition of one new soprano voice - Mary O'Shea! What could be better? The music will include the renaissance music of Domenico Gabrielli, and also the contemporary compositions of John Tavener, Arvo Part - and Matthew Cann himself. Include Daisy Walford, David Acres, Rachel Mitchell, Michael Vian Clarke - it will be fabulous! 'Antiphon' Choir, Saturday 4th August 7.15pm at Buckfast Abbey. Not to be missed! See the Antiphon facebook page or 'Classical Journey Concerts' for details.

Counterternor:James Bowman

Counterpoint will be at the Abbey again on Saturday 13th October with the the Divertimento String Ensemble for a celebration of the music of George Frederick Handel - with the priceless counter-tenor singing of 72 year old solo counter-tenor James Bowman. It gets better and better!

Counterpoint will also be getting together in August to record a CD of carols for sale in the Christmas season - and for a live carol service at the Abbey on Saturday 15th December. Several more concerts are already planned for 2013 - all in the wonderfully aesthetic and acoustic Abbey at Buckfast. Full details on theCounterpoint website.

About Me

Join 'Classical Journey' for two hours of instrumental and choral music, from mediaeval to contemporary, every other Friday afternoon from 2-4pm. Hear a run-down of classical events in the Exeter area - with musicians in the studio to talk about their work - and to play and sing for us! On the Monday following each Phonic FM broadcast, from 1-3pm, a "Classical Journey Redux" programme will be broadcast from Dartington Hall on Soundart Radio (102.5 FM in the Totnes area & live online at soundartradio.org.uk)